Genetic surveillance and outcomes of pyrazinamide and fluoroquinolones-resistant tuberculosis in Taiwan.

Background: Pyrazinamide (PZA) and fluoroquinolone (FQ), particularly moxifloxacin (MXF), are essential drugs in the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended short-course regimen to treat drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: To understand the extent of PZA and MXF susceptibility in general TB cases in Taiwan, we conducted retrospective analyses of 385 conservative Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates identified from 4 TB laboratories in different regions of Taiwan. The case information was obtained from the TB registry.

A Multitarget Therapeutic Peptide Derived From Cytokine Receptors Based on in Silico Analysis Alleviates Cytokine-Stimulated Inflammation.

Septicemia is a severe inflammatory response caused by the invasion of foreign pathogens. Severe sepsis-induced shock and multiple organ failure are the two main causes of patient death. The overexpression of many proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, is closely related to severe sepsis.

Ephrin A4-ephrin receptor A10 signaling promotes cell migration and spheroid formation by upregulating NANOG expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Ephrin type-A receptor 10 (EPHA10) has been implicated as a potential target for breast and prostate cancer therapy. However, its involvement in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. We demonstrated that EPHA10 supports in vivo tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis of OSCC cells.

DNA methylation-mediated Siglec-7 regulation in natural killer cells via two 5' promoter CpG sites.

First discovered on the natural killer (NK) cell, the cell surface inhibitory receptor sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-7 (Siglec-7) is known for regulating many important biological activities. However, the detail regulatory mechanism for Siglec-7 expression in NK cells currently remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate how cell surface Siglec-7 expression is regulated and found that, in both NK cell lines and peripheral NK cells, transcription was the main regulatory step.

Complexation of the nickel and cobalt transcriptional regulator RcnR with DNA.

RcnR is a transcription factor that regulates the homeostasis of cobalt and nickel in bacterial cells. Escherichia coli RcnR was crystallized with DNA that encompasses the DNA-binding site. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.

TGF-β regulated leukemia cell susceptibility against NK targeting through the down-regulation of the CD48 expression.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is known to function as a dual role regulatory cytokine for being either a suppresser or promoter during tumor initiation and progression. In solid tumors, TGF-β secreted from tumor microenvironment acts as a suppresser against host immunity, like natural killer (NK) cells, to favor tumor evasion. However, besides solid tumors, the underlying mechanism of how TGF-β regulates leukemogenesis, tumor progression, immunoediting, and NK function is still not clear in detail.

Ni(II) Sensing by RcnR Does Not Require an FrmR-Like Intersubunit Linkage.

RcnR (esistance to obalt and ickel egulator) is a homotetrameric DNA binding protein that regulates the expression of a Ni(II) and Co(II) exporter (RcnAB) by derepressing expression of and in response to binding Co(II) or Ni(II). Prior studies have shown that the cognate metal ions, Ni(II) and Co(II), bind in six-coordinate sites at subunit interfaces and are distinguished from noncognate metals (Cu(I), Cu(II), and Zn(II)) by coordination number and ligand selection. In analogy with FrmR, a formaldehyde-responsive transcriptional regulator in the RcnR/CsoR family, the interfacial site allows the metal ions to "cross-link" the N-terminal domain of one subunit with the invariant Cys35 residue in another, which has been deemed to be key to mediating the allosteric response of the tetrameric protein to metal binding.

A potential peptide derived from cytokine receptors can bind proinflammatory cytokines as a therapeutic strategy for anti-inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and coronary artery disease. The efficacy of current treatment or preventive strategies for such inflammation is still inadequate. Thus, new anti-inflammatory strategies are needed.

The Role of Mixed Amine/Amide Ligation in Nickel Superoxide Dismutase.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) utilize a ping-pong mechanism in which a redox-active metal cycles between oxidized and reduced forms that differ by one electron to catalyze the disproportionation of superoxide to dioxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Nickel-dependent SOD (NiSOD) is a unique biological solution for controlling superoxide levels. This enzyme relies on the use of cysteinate ligands to bring the Ni(III/II) redox couple into the range required for catalysis (∼300 mV vs.

Chloride Supports O Activation in the D201G Facial Triad Variant of Factor-Inhibiting Hypoxia Inducible Factor, an α-Ketoglutarate Dependent Oxygenase.

α-Ketoglutarate (αKG) dependent oxygenases comprise a large superfamily of enzymes that activate O for varied reactions. While most of these enzymes contain a nonheme Fe bound by a His(Asp/Glu) facial triad, a small number of αKG-dependent halogenases require only the two His ligands to bind Fe and activate O. The enzyme "factor inhibiting HIF" (FIH) contains a HisAsp facial triad and selectively hydroxylates polypeptides; however, removal of the Asp ligand in the Asp201→Gly variant leads to a highly active enzyme, seemingly without a complete facial triad.

Acupunch Exercise Program Development and Feasibility Evaluation for Older Adults.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to develop the Healthy Beat Acupunch (HBA) exercise program and evaluate its feasibility for community older adults.

Design: Stage I: The Delphi technique was used to consult 16 experts to develop the program. Stage II: A preexperimental, one-group, posttest-only design was used to pilot-test the program feasibility with 31 older adults.

The Helicobacter pylori HypA·UreE Complex Contains a Novel High-Affinity Ni(II)-Binding Site.

Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen that colonizes the stomach, is the major cause of ulcers, and has been associated with stomach cancers. To survive in the acidic environment of the stomach, H. pylori uses urease, a nickel-dependent enzyme, to produce ammonia for maintenance of cellular pH.

Self-Perceived Health and Sleep Quality of Community Older Adults after Acupunch Exercises.

Objectives: To test the long-term effects of the 12-month Healthy Beat Acupunch (HBA) exercise program on the self-perceived health and sleep quality of older adults in community care centers, and to compare the effects of two delivery methods: instructor-led HBA for the first 6 months and DVD-guided HBA for another 6 months.

Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Eight community care centers.

Co(II) and Ni(II) binding of the transcriptional repressor RcnR orders its N terminus, alters helix dynamics, and reduces DNA affinity.

RcnR, a transcriptional regulator in , derepresses the expression of the export proteins RcnAB upon binding Ni(II) or Co(II). Lack of structural information has precluded elucidation of the allosteric basis for the decreased DNA affinity in RcnR's metal-bound states. Here, using hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled with MS (HDX-MS), we probed the RcnR structure in the presence of DNA, the cognate metal ions Ni(II) and Co(II), or the noncognate metal ion Zn(II).

Glutamate Ligation in the Ni(II)- and Co(II)-Responsive Escherichia coli Transcriptional Regulator, RcnR.

Escherichia coli RcnR (resistance to cobalt and nickel regulator, EcRcnR) is a metal-responsive repressor of the genes encoding the Ni(II) and Co(II) exporter proteins RcnAB by binding to P. The DNA binding affinity is weakened when the cognate ions Ni(II) and Co(II) bind to EcRcnR in a six-coordinate site that features a (N/O)S ligand donor-atom set in distinct sites: while both metal ions are bound by the N terminus, Cys35, and His64, Co(II) is additionally bound by His3. On the other hand, the noncognate Zn(II) and Cu(I) ions feature a lower coordination number, have a solvent-accessible binding site, and coordinate protein ligands that do not include the N-terminal amine.

Resistance Band Exercises Reduce Depression and Behavioral Problems of Wheelchair-Bound Older Adults with Dementia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To test the effects of a 15-month wheelchair-bound resistance band exercise program on depression and behavioral problems of wheelchair-bound older adults with dementia.

Design: Single-blind, cluster-randomized controlled trial with repeated measures.

Setting: Eight nursing homes in southern Taiwan.

Elastic Band Exercises Improved Activities of Daily Living and Functional Fitness of Wheelchair-bound Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the effects of a 6-month Wheelchair-bound Senior Elastic Band (WSEB) exercise program on the activities of daily living (ADL) and functional fitness of wheelchair-bound older adults with cognitive impairment.

Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial was used. A convenience sample of 138 wheelchair-bound older adults with cognitive impairment were recruited from 8 nursing homes in southern Taiwan and were randomly assigned based on the nursing homes they lived to the experimental (4 nursing homes; n = 73) or the control group (4 nursing homes; n = 65).

Feasible modalities and long-term effects of elastic band exercises in nursing home older adults in wheelchairs: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical activity holds promise for mobility-impaired older adults to prevent further disabilities and improve their health. However, staffing constraints have made it challenging to promote physical activity in long-term care facilities.

Objectives: To test the feasibility and effects of 12 months Wheelchair-bound Senior Elastic Band (WSEB) group-exercises that were led by volunteers for the first six months followed by the DVD-guided for another six months on functional fitness, activities of daily living (ADL), and sleep quality of nursing home older adults in wheelchairs.

Health Promotion Outcomes of a Newly Developed Elastic Band Exercise Program for Older Adults in the Community: A Pilot Test.

Background: Studies indicate that the incidence of disease, the mortality rate, and medical costs are significantly higher in people aged 65 years and over who do not engage in physical activities than in their peers who do engage in these activities. Therefore, promoting appropriate physical activity among older adults in the community is essential to delaying the health implications of aging.

Purpose: This pilot test was developed to assess the effectiveness of a newly developed Senior Elastic Band (SEB) exercise program on the health of older adults in community care stations.

Applying the transtheoretical model to promote functional fitness of community older adults participating in elastic band exercises.

Aims: The transtheoretical model was applied to promote behavioural change and test the effects of a group senior elastic band exercise programme on the functional fitness of community older adults in the contemplation and preparation stages of behavioural change.

Background: Forming regular exercise habits is challenging for older adults. The transtheoretical model emphasizes using different strategies in various stages to facilitate behavioural changes.

Sleep quality and depression of nursing home older adults in wheelchairs after exercises.

Background: Sleep disturbances and depression are costly and potentially disabling conditions that affect a considerable proportion of older adults. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of 6 months of elastic band exercises on sleep quality and depression of wheelchair-bound older adults in nursing homes.

Methods: One hundred twenty-seven older adults from 10 nursing homes participated in this cluster randomized controlled trial, and 114 completed the study.

An elastic band exercise program for older adults using wheelchairs in Taiwan nursing homes: a cluster randomized trial.

Background: The number of older adults using wheelchairs in nursing homes is over 50% of that population, and many of them use wheelchairs due to muscle weakness in the lower extremities. Muscles of older adults are trainable, and progressive resistance exercises using elastic bands can increase muscle strength in older adults.

Objectives: To test the effectiveness of six-month Wheelchair-bound Senior Elastic Band exercises on the functional fitness of older adults in nursing homes.

Social welfare utilization and needs of older adults in Taiwan: survey research.

Background: The demand for long-term care for older adults has escalated sharply. A good policy dedicated to the welfare of older adults has improved their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the social welfare utilization and needs of older adults and compare their differences among age groups, genders, and functional dependency levels.

Development and feasibility of a senior elastic band exercise program for aged adults: a descriptive evaluation survey.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a tailored elastic band exercise program for aged adults (persons 65 years and older), to evaluate the feasibility of a program, and to determine appropriate elastic band exercise frequencies and preferences of aged adults.

Methods: This study had 2 phases. In phase I, 11 professional experts were consulted to develop the Senior Elastic Band (SEB) exercise program.

Feasibility appraisal of an elastic band exercise program for older adults in wheelchairs.

This study appraised the feasibility of an elastic band exercise program for older adults in wheelchairs. A descriptive program review survey was used. A wheelchair-bound senior elastic band (WSEB) exercise program tailored to older adults in wheelchairs was initially developed by a group of 12 experts.